July 8, 2006
Dear Children,
By now, you probably have spent many days with B.J. (Pastor Barry) and Amy Maxwell. They are our dearest friends in the ministry, and God’s face was shining down upon your mother and me the glorious day we met the Maxwell’s in Louisville, Kentucky. Like me, B.J. was a Masters of Divinity student at Southern, and our friendship was nearly instant (just like Mom and Amy). Beyond seminary, we spent a year together in Jackson, Tennessee, and then the Lord led us separate ways, but our love for the Maxwell’s, thankfully, remains deep. I know we would survive without the Maxwell’s, but we don’t even like to think about that!
Why do I mention the Maxwell’s today? Because by the time you are reading this letter, if God has preserved B.J. physically and spiritually, his writings have grown quite extensive. So what? Well, if this hasn’t happened already, I want to encourage you to find what he has written, read it, and whatever he has written about pastoral ministry, do what you can to get it published! I don’t know how you can do this (talk to Lydia first, perhaps), but it would be a worthy endeavor for the strengthening of pastors and the advancement of the kingdom of God. What he has written about the church and specifically pastoral ministry deserves a wide reading.
Maybe you think I’m biased because my brotherly love for B.J. has blinded me to reality. Well, let me share with you from some of his writing, and you judge for yourselves:
(1) Just a couple of days ago, B.J. was reflecting on Charles Spurgeon’s devotional on First Thessalonians 5:25, which states, “Brethren, pray for us.” After considering what Spurgeon says about this text regarding the need for people to pray for pastors not just to preach the Truth, but actually love the Truth they preach, listen to these masterful words from the mind and heart of B.J.:
"So, with Spurgeon I plead with my church family: Brethren, pray for me. You deserve a passionate tour guide, who doesn't simply point out the Living Water to you. But, with the Living Water dribbling down his chin, he grabs your hand and races with you to the well for more. And once there, he climbs in first that you can follow him to where the Water tastes the sweetest." (from “Spurgeon on Maxwell” at www.barryjmaxwell.blogspot.com)
Do you see what I see? Do you see how this kind of writing could be a real boost to the weary preacher?
(2) Or how about one of my personal favorites. This comes from an article titled, “Cherish the Pulpit—It May Very Well Kill You”:
"Brothers, cherish the pulpit. Tread circumspectly on the stairs that lead to God’s secret place. We are never so close to the heavenly places than when we tremble before God’s people as harbingers of holy things. We are never more powerful than when from our quivering lips sweet Living Water flows from heaven. We are never more humble than when we speak God’s steely words from fickle tongues. Our knuckles are never so white on the pulpit as when Christ’s brand-marks are red on our backs.
It was to Paul a grace to preach of Christ’s riches to Gentiles (Eph 3.8). He then provides the perfect definition of preaching—bring[ing] to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things. For what purpose must we preach—that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places (v10). From heaven God fills the church on earth. And from the church on earth He unfolds His wisdom to the heavens. All of this according to His eternal purpose accomplished in Christ—the Gospel (v11).
Our Gracious God promises to use only one instrument to redeem sinners and strengthen His Church—the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. That Gospel will be sent by God not through thunderstorms or multi-purpose buildings or live bands or innovative technology or creative leadership. The mysteries of the Kingdom will be unleashed by mealy-mouthed fools loved and equipped by God to uncork heaven's sweet wine (Rom 10.14-15).
As you stand behind the sacred desk this Sunday you do so not to be popular, eloquent, admired, impressive or paid. No, you stand there as an eternal servant of God, vested with the mysteries of God, clothed with the robes of Christ, stewards of the Spirit’s riches. Indeed, God will have orchestrated history that you would open your Bible before His people at that moment.
You stand in a graveyard calling corpses to life, which apart from God’s sovereign power is profoundly silly. And though the grave stones may remain intact and the earth untouched, the heavenly places will shake under the weight of the gospel. The rulers and authorities in the unseen world will have shuddered and rejoiced as the preacher uttered God’s words. The enemy will have suffered yet another blow as he strives against the church. He cannot do otherwise because God’s word is never ineffective."
Okay, so I quoted more of that than I thought I would, but I just couldn’t decide what to keep out, it’s all so powerful. Just to let you know the use of such writing, I often read through this article on Sundays before I preach, and I know many other pastors would benefit from doing the same.
To put it simply, for the benefit of pastors, the strengthening of churches, and the glory of God, please strive to get B.J. published! (Of course, I’m hoping that you both are new creatures in Christ and see this as a worthy undertaking.)
And one final exhortation: B.J. thinks he’s an idiot and, if he’s still alive, will threaten you with a sand wedge in order to squelch your attempt at publishing his writings… Don’t worry about him, though—the wood shed does not exist!
For Christ’s Fame,
Dad
